Crane



(No Model.) zsheets-sheet 1.

F. W. TAYLOR.

y CRANE. No. 568,174. Patented Sjpt'l 22, 1896.-

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.V

P., W. TAYLOR.

GRANE.

No. 568,174. Patented Sept. 22, 1896.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

F. W. TAYLOR.

CRANE. No. 568,174. Patented Sept, 22, 1896.

(No Model.) P W. TAYLOR. `4 Sheets- Sheet 4.

CRANE.

Patentedsept. 22, 1896.

No. 568,174. CUI

TM: wams PETERS no, vwvo'umn. wAsHmmou. n.

Prien.

FREDERICK IV. TAYLOR, OF MADISON, MAINE.

CRANE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 568,174, dated September 22, 1896.

Y Application led April l, 1893. Serial No. 468,718. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern: 1

Be it known that I, FREDERICK W. TAYLOR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Madison, in Somerset county, in the State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cranes, of which the following is a true and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates, broadly, to an im.

provenient in cranes, but is, however, particularly applicable and especially contrived for such cranes as are in use in a forge or smithing plant, where the crane, in addition to its power of transporting heavy objects, as forgings, should also have the capability of maneuvering them nicely between the dies of a steam-hammer or other smithingetools.

In the following description .I have illustrated my invention as embodied in an overhead crane having a traveling bridge and a brid ge-traversin g trolley wherein the feature of transportation or horizontal movements of the crane and its load is carried to its highest extent.

The chief object of my invention is to provide a forge-crane with an increased capacity for manipulating or portering its load, that is, an increased capacity for training and presenting a forging when suspended from the tackle of a crane to a smithing-tool, such, for instance, as thedies of a'steam-hammer.

To this end, and also to improve the general construction of this class of devices, my inventionconsists in combining with a crane in a new manner not only a primary, but also a secondary lifting and lowering device, which devices are preferably so arranged that they may be operated together or separately.

My invention also consists in means whereby the crane is given an increased capacity for rotating its load, preferably continuously, which rotating apparatus may be operated either in conjunction with one or the other of the lifting or lowering devices or separately, and also in means for carrying the iiexible tackle or chain to one side of the trolley and having so arranged it to maintain the trolley which carries it on its Ways when transporting a load; also in an improved sling for the load and in the general construction of particular parts tending to carry out the objects above mentioned.

My invention is best understood as explained in connection with the drawings in which it is illustrated, and in which Figure l is an elevation of a portion of an overhead traveling crane embodying my present invention, the point of View being sidewise of the ways and trolley and broadside of the bridge, only one of the overhead ways being shown. Fig. 2 is a View of the rear of the crane shown in Fig. l and taken at right angles to the point of view of Fig. 1. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are diagrammatic, illustrating, respectively, a left-side projection, a plan, and a right-side projection, of the clutches and gearing for controlling and actuating a tackle or chain Windin g mechanism in the preferred form of the crane. Fig. 6 is a front View of a fragment of a modification of the chief devices shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 7 is a cross-section of the device shown in Fig. 6, and Fig. 8 is a plan view of the device shown 1n Fig.

Referring to Figs. l and 2, there is shown an overhead traveling-bridge crane provided with a bridge-traversing trolley, as is usual in this class of machinery, and in order to lead up to the novel features of my present invention it will `be sufficient to describe briey certain parts familiar in this class of devices. l A A represent piers carrying girders A', upon which are laid rails, (shown in this case double at a a, Fig. 2,) these constituting the overhead or bridge Ways of the crane. B is the bridge, which, being supplied at its corners wit-hsuitable brackets, is equipped at the rear with single trucks b2 and at the front with preferably double trucks b', adapted to bear upon and run along the rails of the overhead Ways described. S is the main driveshaft of the device, and is of the ordinary square variety usual in cranes,.and is journaled, as shown in Fig. 2, in suitable bearings a' alongthe outside of `one of the overhead ways, and serves by means of a square-eyed traveling-gear S', mounted upon it and collared endwise .to the adjoining bridge to transmit motion to the bridge-actuatin g train.

This actuating-train (indicated generally at G, Fig. 1, and shown in dotted lines) consists IOO of a combination of shafts and gears controlled by clutches operated at the will of the driver, and is a familiar mechanism in overhead cranes, and does not need particular description, inasmuch as it forms no part of my present invention, its function of course being to stop, start, reverse, and change the speed of bridge travel, as desired. In combination with this customary gear I employ a corresponding set of trucks and gears at the other end of the bridge, power being transmitted thereto by a shaft, as G, so that the bridge will move uniformly along its ways, this gearing at the other end of the bridge not being shown for want of space.

In order to permit the trolley C, which runs across the bridge, to carry the preferred form of tackle or chain winding mechanism which I combine with the crane, I preferably build one side of the bridge, as the frontside BQ whichis supported by a double carrying-gear b', as described, larger and stron ger than the rear side B2. The bridge-girder of this side I also make higher and crown it with a substantial plate b3, on which are fastened, preferably, two rails a' a', as shown in Fig. 1. The rear bridge-girder is also preferably provided with a substantial and laterally-projecting crown-plate b4, on which is arranged a rail a2, and the lower edges of which, formed parallel to this rail a2, serve as bearings for bearingwheels d', journaled in pendent brackets d3, fastened securely to the frame of the trolley. These serve to prevent the trolley from being lifted from its support under the stress of a load lying on the forwardly-prejecting tackle-beam P. Guide-wheels cl d are also arranged to run along the edges of the plate 193011 the front girder B and so steady the running of the trolley.

In order to transmit power from the main drive-shaft S, I employ a bevel-gear, as s, familiar in cranes of the square-shaft variety, which, being conveniently formed integral with the square eye of the bridge-traveling drive-gear, is carried wherever the latter goes and is continuously actuated from the drive-shaft S. From this gear a train of gear (indicated at s S3) serves as usual, in combination with a diagonal shaft s2, to impart motion to the trolley drive-shaft S2, which shaft, being suitably journaled across the rear face of the rear bridge-girdcr, hasmounted on it the customary square-eye traveling gear s4. Said gear being journaled rotatively to a bracket fixed to the trolley C, but collared endwise to the same, imparts motion continuously through gear-wheels, as s s6, to a shaft S3, journaled to said trolley and parallel to the shaft S2, all arranged in a manner usual to devices of this class. By means of power derived from this shaft, properly applied from the'cage M by the driver through clutches K K4, the trolley is made to move in either direction on the bridge or stop or reverse at will, this motion being accomplished by driving the tru ck-wheels d4 d4 on the front girderrails and the truck-wheels d5 on the rear rail in the proper direction by means of the customary gears, the two sets of truck-wheels being properly connected so as to run together, as by shafts d6, of which one is shown in Fig. l. The trolley is preferably formed with four cross-pieces C C C2 C2 for the convenient housing and journaling in it of the preferred tackle or chain actuating mechanisms,which are mounted in this construct-ion on the trolley. These tackle-actuating mechanisms consist in this case of, first, a duplex winding mechanism, which receives motion from the trolley-shaft S3, which, as has been said, receives motion from the shaft S2 and is constantly in motion; second, an auxiliary lifting and lowering device, consisting in this case of a vibrating tackle-beam P, pivoted at p, which carries the chain-sheaves P', which are pivoted to its free end relatively to the bridge and trolley-projecting end p', and a suitable auxiliary lifting and lowering device for said beam.

Before describing further the auxiliary lifting and lowering device attention is called to the main tackle or chain raising, lowering, and turning mechanisms. This device, which is adapted to act upon a duplex chain-tackle, may be conveniently built up as follows:

Suitably journaled in the cross-pieces C2 C2 of the frame of the trolley is a shaft S4, which has mounted loosely upon it between the cross-pieces C2 C2 two mutually independent drums c c2, provided with sprocket-surfaces adapt-ed to engage with the links of the tacklechains II H2. These drums are secured to or made integral with gears c3 c4, which are also mounted on said shaft S4. Outside of its bearings on the cross-pieces of the trolley the shaft S4 projects a suitable distance, affording a convenient pivot whereon to journal the inner and forked end of the vibrating beam P. Beneath the shaft S4, and preferably somewhat in front of it, a shaft S5 is journaled to all four cross-pieces C C] C2 C2, parallel to the shaft Si, and loosely mounted on its central part are pivot-drums c5 c, corresponding to the winding-drums c' c2. (c6 is shown in Fig. l, c5 being behind it in a corresponding position.) The function of these pivot-drums is to give a good lap to the chains II H2 upon the winding-drums c' c2 aforesaid, and also to pass therefrom fall-bights H H3, which are conveniently passed down Within the open center of the bridge B. Each of the drum-gears c3 c4 is operatively connected by a system of gears, shafts, and clutches to the continuously-rotatin g shaft S3 in a manner to be hereinafter more particularly explained, so that the Winding-drums may be rotated in the same direction with equal velocity, thus raising or lowering the load, or one drum may rotate in one direction and the other drum in the other direction, thus rotating the load, or one drum may remain quiet and the other IOO IIO

drum rotate, thus raising and rotating the load at the same time. Means are also intel'- posed to vary the speed as may be desired.

A system of gears capable of performing these motions is seen stripped from its bearings and spread out, so as to clearly show all the modes of connection, clutching, and so on, in Figs. 3, 4, and 5.

Referring specially to Fig. 4, c' c2 are the winding-drums, and e0 c4 are the gears attachedthereto, as in Figs. l and 2. The gear c3 meshes with a gear Q of much smaller diameter, which gear is fixed to a shaft.

. (Marked here S10.) This shaft has also fixed to it a gear Ql of comparativelyT large diameter and which in turn meshes with a small gear Q2, fixed on a shaft. (Marked S11.) This shaft S11 also carries a large gear Q3, Inounted thereon, which, however, may be of less width of face and generally slighter build than the preceding wheel Q2. meshes with a spur-wheel Q1, carried on a shaft S12, which shaft also has firmly mounted thereon two gears Q5 Q6 of different diameters, which mesh, respectively, with gears Q8 Q10, which are loosely mounted on the shaft S10, but are adapted` to be operatively connected to the said shaft by means of a longitudinallysplined clutch K. gears Q8 Q10 differ in size, the smaller Q10 gear ing with the larger Q0 on the shaft S12, so as to vary the speed, as will be explained hereinafter.

On the shaft S13 are firmly mounted two other gears, Q1 Q0, as shown. The gear Q0 meshes with a gear Q13 of equal size, loosely mounted on the continuously-revolvingshaft S3. 'The gear Q7 meshes with a gear Q11, which meshes with a gear Q12 of a size equal to the gear Q7, loosely mounted on the shaft S3. The two gears Q12 Q13 are collared endwise on the shaft S3 and adapted to be engaged so as to rotate with such shaft S3 by means of a clutch K2. Now, therefore, by throwing the clutch K2 to right or left it is possible to rotate the shaft S1:1 in the same direction as the shaft S3 by means of three gear-wheels Q12 Q11 Q1, orin the opposite direction to the shaft S13 by means of the two gear-wheels Q0 Q13, or by holding the clutch out of connection with either gear-wheel Q12 Q13 to transmit no motion to the train of gear. The shaft S13 will have, however, at all times the same` speed as the shaft S3, whether it revolves in the same or in the opposite direction thereto. To change this speed, however, the clutch K is operative by throwing into gear with the shaft S13 either the gear Q8 or thegear C10, causing the shaft S12 with its gears to revolve in one case with approximately the same speed, or in the other case with less speed than the shaft S10. As for the gears on the other side, corresponding gears are numbered the same as those described, with the exception that one hundred is added to the index. These have been shown all as separate gear-wheels,

but I have found in practice that the two sets The gear Q3 further These two last-named' of gears shown driven separatelyfrom the shaft S3 may be identical for some distance, and branch at some convenient intermediate point; but as such branching of these trains is a matter of mere mechanical skill and determined by the exigences of practical construction rather than by anything else it is not necessary to show any particular manner of construction.

A very convenient mode Vof causing the winding-drums to run at the same speed in opposite directions is shown in Fig. 4. On the same shaft S10 to which the gear-wheel Q is secured there is mounted loosely a'gear Q10, meshing with the gear Q15, mounted on the shaft S110. A clutch K3 is arranged on the shaft S10 so as to revolve withbut move lengthwise of said shaft, thus connecting at will the shaft S10 and the gear Q10, so that they will turn together. municated to both winding-drums through the setof gears Q10 Q', dsc., and if the gear Q10 is caused to turn with the shaft S10 by proper manipulation of the clutch K3, the winding'- drums'c" c2 will revolve with the same speed in opposite directions, as the gears Q15, Q100, Q, and Q10 are all the same size. Also by the proper employment of the clutches K', K2, K101, K102, and K3, either of the drums maybe driven forward or backward at a variable speed, or one may be driven forward andthe other backward, and at any point desired, either can be stopped and driven in the other direction at any desired speed.

Referring now to the driving-tackle, as will be best seen in Fig. 6 this consists of two chains, as HIP, each preferably made as a continuous loop or endless chain and each passing over the two winding-drums c' c2,

If, therefore, motion is co1n- TOO which each have sprockets c7 for'the one chain, H, and sprockets c8 for the other chain, H2. The fall-bights H H0, respectively, of these chains are allowed to hang, as shown, between the bridge-girders. In the loop of the chains is hung a sling-block H5, and which is rotated by the chains H H2 when one of the winding-drums is moved in one direction and the other in the other direction, and a sling H0 is arranged to hang from the sling-block H5 and carries the load, as H1, which will be turned in the same direction and with a speed proportional to` that of the sling H0. It is of course clearly understood that the train of gears here described is siming the rotation of the load it may be necessary to raise or lower it.

This raising or low- IIO ering, however, or the primary lifting and lowering device cannot be conveniently used while the load is being evenly rotated. Now, especially in forging operations at a steam-hammer, it is very desirable to both rotate and either lift or lower a forging to a certain extent. In order to effect such a movement, it is only necessary to call into play the secondary lifting or lowering device. This device consists, preferably, in the beam P, pivoted las described, and means for raising and lowering said beam. This means may conveniently be a hydraulic ram, as F,

to which water under proper pressure is admitted through a pipe F1, the plunger or piston f of which, in the construction shown in Fig. l, bears against the buifer P2 and serves to raise the beam P. A spring or springs P2, adapted to support a very heavy weight, are preferably interposed between the buffer P2 and the beam P. By admit-ting water to or permitting it to escape from the hydraulic cylinder the beam P, with the load depending therefrom, will of course be raised or lowered to any desired extent within the limits of the movement of the hydraulic lift. By this arrangement also a forging can be slightly raised and then lowered to the exact point from which it had been raised, which is often very advantageous. To carry the load-tackle to one side of the trolley, I preferably arrange the beam P as shown, pivoting it at p and journaling a sheave P at the outer end p', preferably at such a distance that t-he load will not be much, if any, farther forward than the front wheel b of the bridge. By extending the beam P to one side of the trolley so that the chains hang to one side thereof rather than from between the girders B' B2, as is usual, it is possible to present a forging much more conveniently to the dies of a steam-hammer.

The device shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 8 is essentially the same in principle as the one already described. IIere, however, a crossgirder B10 is shown, on which are arranged rails, two r rf at the front and one r11 at the rear. Suitable trucks are arranged to support the trolley C10, whose wheels d10 d10 are arran ged to bear on the rails r 10. The beam P10, however, is not in this case pivoted on the extensions of the shaft S1, but on a central bracket C11 of the trolley and carries on its free end p the fall-block sheaves P. Shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7 is the auxiliary lifting apparatus F. F2 is a hydraulic cylinder; f, the piston therein, having a preferably spherical socket f arranged therein. A block-bearin g piece f2 having spherical ends is arranged, as shown, so as to bear at one end in the socket in the hydraulic piston and at the other end in a corresponding socket in the buffer-plate P12, between which and the beam P10 are preferably arranged springs P11, as shown. It is evident that in this construction as the beam is not pivoted to the axis of the duplex winding-drum there is a slight endwise movement of the tackle-chains in relation to the pivot of the chain -sheaves whenever the beam P10 is moved. This, however, being a trilling matter in comparison to the amount of movement obtained by the use of the hydraulic jack may be neglected.

The crane, though not so shown, is supplied with proper brakes, which may obviously be applied wherever it may be deemed expedient, but I prefer to associate them with the winding-drums, and it may be convenient to disconnect the actuating-train and rely entirely on the brake mechanism for lowering. Such construction being, however, very familiar it is not deemed necessary to show it.

The mode of operation is believed to be clear from the description given.

The driver, by proper manipulation of the customary lever in the cage M, throws in the proper gears and by turning the windingdrums together or separately in the same or in opposite directions, in conjunction with the secondary lifting device, can effect a very perfect and exact manipulation of a forging or other load, the lifting and rotating of the load being done bythe same tackle, which is of course a great advantage.

In the claims I shall refer to the iiexible member which is acted upon by the lifting and lowering mechanism described as a chain, but I do not wish to be understood as thereby limiting myself specifically to what is technically known as a chain, as any of the many equivalent devices may of course be used in its place.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a crane, the combination of a chain having a bight in which the load is supported, a primary lifting and lowering device adapted to act on both ends of the chain, and an independent secondary lifting and lowering device also acting on both ends of the chain, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described.

2. In a crane, the combination with a chain having a bight in which the load is supported, of a primary lifting and lowering device adapted to act on both ends of the chain, and an auxiliary lifting and lowering device also acting on both ends of the chain adapted to be worked either independently of or concurrently with said prim ary lifting and lowering device.

3. In a crane, the combination of a chain having a bight in which the load is supported, one or more primary lifting or lowering devices acting on both ends of the chain, one or more chain-sheaves over which the chain passes and which lie between the primarylifting device and the chain-bight, and a secondary lifting and lowering device acting on the said sheave or sheaves and through them upon the bight of the chain.

4. In a crane, the combination with a chain of two mechanisms, as the winding-drums c/ IOC lof

IIC

IIE

c2 for lengthening and shortening the bight inside of the chain, said mechanism forming a duplex lifting and lowering device, and means, as a beam and chain-sheaves carried on the end thereof for carrying the load into a position otherwise than directly below the lifting mechanism.

5. In acrane, the combination with atrolley of a duplex mechanism for raising and lowering a bight in a chain, and means, as a beam and chain-sheaves carried on the end thereof for carrying the load at one side of the t-rolleybridge.

6. In a crane, the combination with a chain having a depending bight, of two mechanisms, as the winding-drums c' c2 for lengthening and shortening the bight inside of the chain, said mechanism forming a duplex lifting and lowering device, means, as a pivoted beam and chain-sheaves journaled thereon for carrying the bight of the chain and the load in a position otherwise than directly below the lifting mechanism, and an auxiliary lifting and lowering device for moving the beam on its pivot and changing the elevation of the chain-bight independently of the duplex lifting and vlowering mechanism aforesaid.

7. In a crane, the combination with a trolley of a duplex mechanism for raising and lowering a bight in a chain, means as a pivoted beam and chain-sheaves j ournaled thereon for carrying the load at one side of the trolley and an auxiliary lifting and lowering mechanism acting on the beam aforesaid for changing the elevation of the chain-bight independently of the duplex lifting and lowering mechanism aforesaid.

8. The combination in a crane of a main driving-shaft, two independent driving mechanisms, means operated from the main driving-shaft and adapted to rotate the independent driving mechanisms, means as suitable clutches adapted to cause the two driving mechanisms to severally rotate in either the same or in opposite directions, and an endless chain arranged to be operated by the driving mechanism.

9. The combination in a crane, of the main driving-shaft, two independent driving mechanisms, means such as proper gears and clutches adapted to drive the independent vdriving mechanisms from the main shaft either in the same or in opposite directions, a chain operated by the driving mechanisms, a slingblock arranged in the bight of the chain, and a sling arranged to carry the load.

l0. The combination in a crane of a bridge, a movable trolley adapted to move longitudinally along the bridge, a beam carried by the trolley and projecting laterally and substantially horizontally beyond the bridge and provided at its free end with a chain sheave or sheaves, a chain adapted to pass over said sheave or sheaves and mechanism on the trolley for raising and lowering the bight. of

said chain.

- l1. The combination in a crane of a mow* able trolley, a shaft secured to said trolley, a substantiallyhorizontal beam j ournaled at one end on said shaft and provided on its free end with a chain sheave or sheaves, a chain adapted to pass over said sheave or sheaves mechanism for raising and lowering said chain and means for lifting the free end of the beam mounted on the trolley and affording an auxiliary lifting and lowering device.

12. In a crane the combination with a movable trolley of two independent and independently-actuable windlasses, a chain engaging said windlasses in the manner of a bight, a fulcrum attached to said trolley, a substantially horizontal tilting beam operatively engaged to said fulcrum and provided with chain-sheaves for said chain and a hydraulic jack attached to said trolley and operating the substantially horizontal tilting beam through a certain angular range of action substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described.

13. The combination in a crane of a trolley and duplex winding mechanism mounted thereon, a chain operated by the winding mechanism, a sling-block hung in the bight of the chain and a sling hung thereon substantially as specified.

14. In a crane the combination with loadsupporting chains and winding mechanism therefor, of a laterally-extending substantially horizontal beam for carrying two. loadsupporting chains and a spring-buffer support for said beam lying beneath the same.

l5. In a traveling crane the combination with a supporting-bridge of a trolley adapted to run on said supporting-bridge, winding mechanisms carried on the trolley, a substantially horizontal beam extending transversely to the line of movement of the trolley and adapted to carry the load to one side of t-he bridge, and a spring-buffer support for said beam situated between it and said trolley.

16. In a crane the combination with main lifting and lowering mechanismfor a load, of a substantially horizontal pivoted beam eX- tending laterally and adapted to support the load, a secondary lifting and lowering device for said load lying beneath and adapted to support the substantially horizontal beam at a suitable distance from its pivot and a spring-buffer between the secondary lifting and lowering device and the pivoted beam.

' FREDERICK W. TAYLOR. lVitnesses:

MARTIN EIcHE, G. L. DAvis.

IOO 

